Fruitcake - Secrets To Making The Perfect Fruit Cake

By Lisa Paterson

Delicious fruitcakes are versatile and can be served at any occasion. Covered with elaborate icing, they are a delectable treat at weddings and birthdays whereas a slice of fruitcake without any icing is perfect for a leisurely afternoon tea.

Fruitcakes taste best when kept to mature for at least a minimum of one month. If the storage facilities are dry and cool, fruitcakes can even be kept to mature for three to four months. Keeping this in mind, start your preparations well in advance of the time you are planning to use the cake.

The process before actually putting the cake in the oven to bake is a lengthy one, spreading over several days. It is important to use only fresh, good quality ingredients for your fruit cake. Cut fruits and nuts into desired pieces and soak them in liquor or fruit juice for the required number of days. Before mixing them into the batter, dredge the fruit and nuts in flour to prevent them from sinking in the batter and shake off the excess flour before using in the recipe.

The fun part about making fruitcakes is that it allows you to be adventurous. Unlike other cakes, you can substitute several ingredients for ones of your choice. If your recipe calls for wine or brandy and you are a teetotaler, you can substitute it with any fruit juice that you like. If you do not like any particular fruit mentioned in the recipe, substitute it with another similar fruit. The only thing you need to pay heed to is the weight or volume of the ingredients, which should be same or as close to that mentioned in the recipe.

Keep the oven temperature at no higher than 325 degrees, or even lower when baking your fruitcake. To prevent the cake from getting burnt during the long baking time use greased brown paper lining before pouring the batter into the pan. You can bake your fruitcake in muffin tins or baking pans of any shape and size, however you'll need to make the necessary adjustments in temperature and baking time if using a pan size that is different from that mentioned in the recipe. Placing a pan or metal bowl with hot water on the oven floor, will prevent the cake from drying out.

Insert a cake tester in the center of the cake to test for doneness. The cake is done when the tester comes out moist and not doughy. When fully baked, take the cake out of the oven and leave it to cool on a cooling rack in the same pan in which it was baked. When completely cooled, carefully take it out of the pan and peel off the greased paper. Wrap the cake in cheesecloth that has been soaked in the same brandy, wine or any other liquor that you used in the recipe. Wrap the cheesecloth-covered cake in aluminum foil or plastic wrap and store in a cool place. During the maturing time, keep brushing the cake with liquor regularly; at least once a week.

Fruitcakes taste better with age so go ahead and let it mature. It will develop a moist, luscious taste if allowed to 'ripen' for an adequate period of time. Though fruitcakes freeze very well for long-term storage, you should let it age for a minimum of four weeks prior to freezing, as it will not mellow when it is frozen.

Do not frost your fruitcake too much ahead of time. Do it as close to serving time as possible. Because they are so fruity, fruitcakes can crumble if not cut in the right manner. Use a serrated knife or a sharp thin-bladed knife and slice the fruitcake in a sawing motion, then arrange it on a platter and serve.

For more cooking secrets take a look at cooking basics and What rice to use.

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